The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC2) was held on the 29th May to 2nd June 2023 at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.
In February 2022, at the fifth session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA 5.2), a historic resolution was adopted to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including the marine environment with the ambition to complete the negotiations by end of 2024.
Among issues discussed at the INC2 was how to promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics from product design to environmentally sound waste management through resource efficiency and circular economy approaches.
The City of Paris, with support from UNEP, organized its first International Forum to end plastic pollution in cities on 26th May.
Plastic pollution is a great challenge for urban areas, where high population density has accelerated unsustainable plastic consumption and waste.
75% of the total plastic waste generation comes from municipal solid waste streams
Much of it ends in landfills, waterways and ocean resulting into significant contribution to climate change, with consequences to human health and the environment.
Many cities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are struggling to properly manage the ever-increasing amount of waste due to rapid urbanization and economic growth.
But cities are also a crucial part of the solution, as local governments are responsible for the collection, transportation and processing of plastic waste.
Cities are innovating the way they deal with this challenge: producing less, consuming less, and better managing the waste that already exists to prevent contamination or leakage.
Local government are taking action through initiatives such as bans on single use, plastic items, promotion of reusable alternatives, and improved waste management systems.
Mayors from different cities, scientists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), Intergovernmental Organizations and philanthropies committed to fight plastic pollution gathered in Paris for a day of exchanges on solutions to minimize the impact of plastics on the planet.
UNDP and UNEP, together with the UN SDG Action Campaign and Urban Shift, have developed a series of media assets available for cities and local governments to share their local action to beat plastic pollution.
The editable media cards are available for editing and downloading in Canva, feel free to adapt, and use freely!
You can add your own messages, include your own logos and disseminate!
